Drive mechanism.



L. A. HILL. DRIVE MECHANISM. I APPLICATION FILED NOV. 19, 1909.

' Patented July 5, 1910.

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LOUIS A. HILL, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

DRIVE MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent Patented July 5, 1910.

Application filed November 19, 1909. Serial No. 528,947.

improved drive mechanism adapted for effi-,

cient use with driving wheels of increased diameter, and which is constructed to pernnt the employment of large drlving wheels without necessitatin a corresponding elevation of the center 0 gravity of the car.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved drive mechanism which will be thoroughly protected against external injury and the entrance of dust, and in which a lubricant will be permanently maintained and automatically distributed to the wearing surfaces.

A further object of my invention is to provide a strong and durable drive mechanism readily adapted for all types of cars, and which will operate at high efficiency under all practical conditions.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application and in which similar reference numerals indicate corresponding parts in the several views: Figure 1 is a detail view, partly in axial section, illustrating one embodiment of my invention, and F igL 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates a hollow supporting axle extending from a transmissiongear casing 2, and constituting a part of the running gear for supporting the rear bodv springs 3; a drive shaft 4 being journaled at 5 eoaxially within the hollow axle 1 and operatively connected to any usual transmission gear in the casing 2; Oil-tight casings 6 are shown provided with bosses 7 for rigidly securing them on the ends of the hollow axle 1, and are pro vided with hollow stub axles 8 for receiving the hubs 9 of the 'drivin wheels 10; said stub axles being preferab y inclined at approximately one and one-half degrees to the supporting axle in order to give the driving wheels an advantageous inclination.

Spindles 11 are journaled at 12in the easings 6 and extend freely and coaxially through the hollow stub axles 8; the free outer ends of said spindles being connected, as-by clips 13, to the wheel hubs 9. The spindles 11 are thus rotatably supported at their inner ends by the bearings 12, and at their outer ends by thebearings 14' of the wheel hubs on the stub axles; thereby providing a very efficient drive connection operating with a minimum of friction.

The shaft 4 is shown connected to the angularly disposed spindles 11 by any usual intermeshing bevel gears 15 and 16 in the casings 6; a lubricant being maintained in the lower portions of said oil-tight casings, from which it is carried u by the gears 15 and 16 and distributed to tlie bearin 5 and 12 and along the spindles 11 to the earings 14 of the driving-wheel hubs 9. It will be noted that the hollow supporting axle 1 and its casing 2 communicate with the casings 6, thereby providing a construction in which the drive mechanism is completely inclosed in a continuous oil-tight caslng.

Brake shoes 17 are pivoted, at 18 to the casings 6, for enga ement with a brake drum 19 secured coaxia ly to the driving wheel. A spindle 20 extends through flanges 21 on the casin 6, and carries at the opposite sides of t e latter cranks 22 which are connected by links 23 to the free ends of the shoes 17; said cranks and links constituting toggle joints for strongly forcing the brake shoes against the tension of springs 24 against the drum 19. The brake can be operated in any desired manner, as by a bent crank 25 secured to the spindle 20 and connected to a brake rod 26.

From the above description, it will be understood that my invention provides an improved construction, in which the gears 15 and 16 can be formed of suitable size to position the center of gravity of the car as low as desired irrespective of the size of the driving Wheels employed; and that the relative proportions of the gears 15 and 16 can be readily designed to rovide any required speed reduction in the rive mechanism.

My invention provides an improved construction, in which the entire weight of the car isfirmly supported on the running gear, thereby relieving the drive mechanism from all load; thus providing a construction operating at high eiiiciency with a minimum of strain and friction and with a positive automatic lubrication.

I have illustrated and described preferred v scribed.

and satisfactory constructions, but changes could be made within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1-. In a motor car, the combination of a 'hollow supporting axle, a shaft journaled therein, casings extendin upwardly from the ends of said axle an provided above the latter with journal bearings-and hollow stub axles, driving wheels on said stub axles, spindles journaled in said bearings and extending through said" stub axles, means for connecting said spindles to the driving wheels, and actuating connections between said shaft and spindles, substantially as de- 2. In a motor car, the combination .ofa hollow su porting axle, a shaft journaled in said ax e, casings secured to the ends ofsaid axle and provided with hollow stub a-xles extending angularly to said shaft, driving wheels on said stub axles, spindles extending coax'ially through said stub axles, means for connecting said spindles to the driving wheels, and intermeshing bevel gears secured to said shaft and spindles within said casings, substantially as described.

4. In a motor car, thecombination of a hollow supporting axle, upwardly-extending casings secured to the ends of said axle, a shaft journaled coaxially within said axle with its ends extendin' in said casings, hol low stub axles carried by said casings in communication with the interior of the latter, spindles extending through said stub axles, actuating connections in said casings between said shaftand spindles, driving wheels rotatably mounted on said stub axles, means for connecting the outer ends of said spindles to the hubs of said driving wheels, and: oil-tight closures for closing the outer ends. of said hubs in communication with said hollow stub axles, substantially as described.

In testimon whereof I aflix my signature in presence 0 two witnesses.

LOUIS A. HILL.

Witnesses:

C. F. FADELEY, WILLIAM MONEIR. I 

